Stephen Roginson, owner of Batch Brewing, said that the 'prize is significant. It could be a difference-maker.' He hopes to open the brewery before next year.

Written by

Frank Witsil

Detroit Free Press Business Writer

DETROIT/May 16, 2013. For the second consecutive year, Comerica Bank and Hatch Detroit are partnering for the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest and will begin accepting applications on June 3, 2013. The contest, in its third year, seeks first time and experienced entrepreneurs to submit solid retail concepts that will resonate with the public. Image received May 17, 2013 from Comerica

To vote

Public voting online runs to 6 p.m. Aug. 28 at www.hatchdetroit.com. You are eligible to vote once every 24 hours. The winner will get $50,000 from Comerica Bank, as well as legal, marketing, accounting and IT support from Hatch Detroit.

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Detroit Hatch announced Monday its top four finalists in a $50,000 retail competition that will help jump-start a Motor City business.

The concepts are a brewery, a cinema, a café and a toy store.

Of those, one will be selected to receive the $50,000 prize from Comerica Bank. Hatch Detroit, a nonprofit, narrowed the contestants from about 200 submissions to 10, then four. The winner will be named Aug. 29.

“It’s such a great opportunity,” said Stephen Roginson, the head brewer with Batch Brewing, one of the contenders. “The prize is significant. It could be a difference-maker.”

He added that the brewery, at 1444 E. Michigan, hopes to open before next year, but the prize money would be a boost.

The final round of public voting, which will help determine the winner, is at www.hatchdetroit.com. Voters are eligible to cast one ballot every 24 hours.

The finalists also will present to a panel of judges. The winner, which will be selected based on public votes and the judges’ picks, will be announced at the M@dison Building in Detroit.

The other finalists that were selected though an online vote are:

■ Corktown Cinema, which would reincarnate the Burton Theater for independent films.

■ HenriettaHaus Coffee Roasters, a coffee roaster and café, to open in Hamtramck.

■ Spielhaus Toys, a specialty toy store.

In addition to $50,000, the winner also will receive legal, marketing, accounting and IT support from Hatch Detroit.

In 2011, the winner was Hugh, an accessories shop in Midtown, which has since opened. Last year, the winner was La Feria, a Spanish tapas eatery, which is set to open, also in Midtown.